Rarely, if ever, have the Nationals entered a series with so much hype surrounding them. Hype, as we all know, gets you nothing once a batter steps in the box and a pitcher is handed the ball. So it's time to see what these Nationals are made of and how they stack up against the most-successful franchise in baseball history (not to mention current owners of the best record in the American League).

Gio Gonzalez gets the ball for Game 1 of this weekend showdown, seeking his ninth victory in 13 starts. The left-hander faced the Yankees five times over the last three years … and he did not fare well (1-4, 7.27 ERA, 47 baserunners in 26 innings). That, of course, was a different Gio Gonzalez wearing an Oakland A's uniform, so we'll see how he responds in his first appearance against the Yanks in a Nats uniform.

Right-hander Phil Hughes (3-0 over his last four starts) takes the mound for New York, facing a Nationals lineup that will look a bit more familiar now without the DH in play.

Plenty of updates to come, so please check back early and often. And if you're coming to the park, be prepared for traffic, construction, Metro delays and crowded lines. In other words, give yourselves plenty of time…

Thanks for the tip. Just heard Clip on 106.7 The Fan–a station that says the "love to talk Nats." Yup, Clip says he has a little "extra" he wants to show the Yanks, namely they got the worst of it for trading him (they probably already know that). Those guys just as bad as the Canadian, though, trying to get Clip to talk about Bryce not going out drinking after games, what is this obsession? Clip didn't take the bait, just said he doesn't need to, that's fine, (although he allowed as how you never know..)Main thing, he kept emphasizing the clubouse attitude, the guys in their "roles" and picking each other up. Said even when a starter faulters, they still figure they can win the game. Pretty extended interview, I got the feeling both Clip and the radio guys could have gone on longer.

Sunshine_Bobby_Carpenter_Is_Too_Pessimistic_For_Me said… Davey — Hi Davey! — ought to be manager of the year in a runaway, and retire the award and name it after him. He's been on this since Day 1 of ST. He'd have brought Harper north if it were up to him, after all.To repeat:He's been on this since Day 1 of ST.Yep. Didn't he say something like: "they oughtta fire me if we don't make the playoffs"

Manassas Nats' Fan said… Nats 1 for 5 RISP with another double play. Quit doing that. Hit like Arod off the end of the bat in ahole. Uanks 2 for 3 with RISP. June 15, 2012 8:18 PM ____________________________Not sure you meant to write ahole or a hole, but you got me laughing because ARoid is how you wrote it.

The Nats achilles heel – the young guys get on and then the middle of the order fails. The inning we scored, Zim's ab was not productive, Morse came through, then it stalled again. When we have chances to scores runs in bunches, we don't. We had a chance in the first and should have scored more than one in that inning.

baseballswami said… The Nats achilles heel – the young guys get on and then the middle of the order fails. The inning we scored, Zim's ab was not productive, Morse came through, then it stalled again. When we have chances to scores runs in bunches, we don't. We had a chance in the first and should have scored more than one in that inning. June 15, 2012 8:29 PM __________________________Agreed and its no different than 53 of the previous 61 games.

I do feel badly for toronto — and not JUST because I wanted them to win tonight ( really). gio should be able to go further, who knows? He may just go out there and throw 2 more innings very efficiently. He is getting squeezed, a bit.

mick said… good gracious… is it something in the Canadian water? lol June 15, 2012 8:31 PM ________________________________You have to feel sorry for him. Initial reports on Drabek was elbow strain. Keep in mind that Drabek has had 1 Tommy John surgery already in his career.

Gonat, did not know Drabek had Tommy J surgI have a feeling tonight's game was over after the 2 lousy at bats in the second inning by LaRoche and Morse. That bottom of 5 was one of the worst at bats I have seen by our 1-3 hitters.

Of course dDesi gets a hit when no one is on after grounding into double play. What is Eck andEpsi working on? Espi swings at two pitches that really high, and on strike 3, one right down the middle he doesn't even think about swinging? I love to hear the coach on this one to know what he is teaching him.

I bet Davey, PH Moore tonight and he is not ready for that role yet. I know Davey is a great manager, but playing Espi tonight verse a right handed pitcher, when both Lombo and Moore are hitting is just crazy

Espi is the only batter (beside Gio) who hasn't reached base. Yesterday there was a spirited debate with Bowdenball and Wonk about this improved Espi.Still swinging at high heat and still striking out way too much. 2 K's so far tonight.

mick said… oh well, maybe we can win Sat and Sun cause we are done tonight and were out coached June 15, 2012 9:08 PM _________________________Here we go again. Its a 1 run lead. Can you keep the dumb comments to yourself please.

mick said… dumb comments. both hitting and lack of hitting are contagious. we have no answer for Hughes tonight and are about to give up a at least 1 run. Its not our night, whats stupid about the comment??? June 15, 2012 9:13 PM ________________________________Think about it and re-read what you wrote at a time that the Nats are the home team and behind by 1 run.

its not our night and it was clear after the 6th inning, Desmond did not help matters either, we won 6 in row and hopefully we can start hitting the ball in front of our fans tomorrowFP sounds ridiculous saying Ian is better than Jeter. Ian was a CLOWN tonight

and this officially now became ugly. Gio ends his night with 3 earned. Lidge ends his with 3 earned. I will give Lidge some credit though. He had Jeter swinging on top of a perfectly placed fastball and Zim couldn't reach it. What can you say. A game of inches.

Every time the Nats fall behind, Mick goes on a tirade. You start talking stupidity when the Nats were behind 2-1.Now you can probably put a fork in 'em at 6-1, but we play the game and see what happens. Its 1 game out of 162.I for one thought Gio pitched "nervous" for the 1st 3 innings and it cost him and the Nats.

Lidge barely did any rehab innings and has not gotten in very much since. So you put him in a high stress situation? Sure – the offense has been pretty flat, but Gio really battled. Pretty sure he would not have given up 4 before getting 3 outs. Everyone else is very well rested.

Gonat said…Every time the Nats fall behind, Mick goes on a tirade. You start talking stupidity when the Nats were behind 2-1.are you joking, what tirade? I said Gio pitched well, and tonight wa snot our night and that hopefully we can take the next two. davey had a bad game tonight too but he wins more tha he loses. where is the tirade. alos, others in here said they thought it was Davey's worst job ever, hell i least never said that.

Nats212 said… Please gonat do not give lidge any credit! he is awful, has been awful and will continue to be awful! June 15, 2012 9:26 PM _____________________________He let Martin off the hook after starting him 0-2, that was bad. Davey called for the intentional walk of Cano.Lidge should have been ahead of Jeter 0-2 and the ump blows the strike call and that changed the entire at-bat but when he comes back and gets the grounder.I give credit where credit is due. He made the pitch and induced the grounder. The result was horrible.

also, I think at 2-1 I had a pretty good feel of how this would end up and the 7-1 score kinda proves me right. i also said early on that Hughes was impressive and that is another reason we were done early

mick said… also, I think at 2-1 I had a pretty good feel of how this would end up and the 7-1 score kinda proves me right. i also said early on that Hughes was impressive and that is another reason we were done early June 15, 2012 9:31 PM _______________________________Wow, you are amazing. You could forsee the 7th inning meltdown.You keep digging a deeper hole for yourself and are great in hindsight.

But yet the AL whines incessantly about about their pitchers having to hit. sheesh. Maybe we can get to their bullpen for a huge comeback!!!!!! Really – offense very flat tonight – had chances and didn't convert. Where have we heard this before?

Lidge can not help this team in the long run. the problem is Mattheus got rocked ;last time he pitched in AAA.The whole key will be Storen coming back healthy. then you go with Clip, Burnett, Gorzo, Stammen, and Storen. maybe you keep Gonzales. Lidge simply did not work out and its good that we know now, while up in the standings. HRod should probably have the rest of the season ooff too and then 2013 is his make or break year

I agree with mick. Game was basically over when Nats left it at 2-1 in the 3rd. Then with Hughes dominant for the next 3 innings (4, 5, 6), Davey decided it was lesson time. Left Gio in for 7th–probably because Gio lobbied for it–when Gio gave up the single he tested Lidge, etc. Davey would have made completely different decisions if it had been a 2-2 game.Sloppy work by the infield, really sloppy (and not just Desi). You watch, Nats will win the next 2.

Gonat… i'll just say this, i had a feel for what would transpire, you have no right to attack me about it. i never attack anyone in here and i find it disturbing when one attacks me. its as if you and others can criticize players, coaches, moves, but if anyone else does, you go after them. think about that

I was watching game with nephew and when Lidge came in my nephew threw the white dish cloth at the TV, claiming FDavey was surrendering. Apears he was right. I am going to get Lidge's numbers recently, because I know they not good. When Mattheus comes back, maybe if things don't change a DFA might occur.

I hope how the team fares this weekend will have no bearing on whether Giolito signs or not. It appears the problem with Lidge is the batters are laying off of his slider, forcing him to use his now average fastball.

Got to forget this game as soon as it ends. if I'm Davey, I move on and tell the guys, "OK we got this stinker out of our system, we have a sell out crowds at home ready to embrace us, now let's go out and take the next two"

Nats lady… agreed on Gorzo, he cannot be a long term solution, i hope and pray Storen comes back 100%. If that happens, we are solid in the pen with Burnett, Clip, Drew, Mattheus and Gonzales, with Detweiler your long reliever.

Glad we haven't had many ugly ones like this . THis looked more like the 2008, 2009, 2010 Nats.Worse than three losses to the marlins in this one.Desi's double play killed the momentum.Lidge killed any possible come back.Gio needs to not throw so many balls so he can at least 7 innings. McCatty needs to preach this.Thanks to Eck our hitters made Phil Highes looked as good Jason verlander.Tomorrow Zim needs to come and kick but

Is this our worst loss this year so far? Hate to see it happen to the evil empire in front of sell-out crowds on national tv 😦 But, it's one loss – game tomorrow. Come on Jordan! Come on offense! Gio with only 3 earned, the big score is basically on Lidge — can he really contribute as a big-league reliever anymore? Offense looked pretty flat and has faced better pitching this year. Mick – don't hold your breath waiting for Davey to ever admit he should have made a different decision – it's never going to happen. He will blame the players, but never himself.

Missed most of the game for my son's playoff game (they won, but he was drilled in the back by a pitch and left the game.) However, I just saw the end of Lidge's effort and I agree, he is not going to challenge many people. His slider was pretty flat, and the ones I saw looked like they started off the plate. Looked easy to lay off it. Everyone on the staff has a livlier fastball than Lidge at the moment.So, maybe Davey knew something we didn't and basically threw in the towel. Everyone looked flat. Perhaps last night at the gala took a lot out of the Nats?